TREVALLTAK. 6 



each end by large arched wmdows of stained glass, which, combined 

 with the loftiness of the apartment, threw over it a gloom by no means 

 unpleasing. At the opposite end of the room to that by which the 

 herald entered, was seated the possessor of the fortress, in a chair of 

 dai'k oak, upon which were carved the arms distinguishing the family. 

 The carl was busily engaged in examining a cross-bow, which a page 

 who stood near him had brought ; and so intent was he on his occu- 

 pation, that he had forgotten the message brought to him a few minutes 

 before by his seneschal. At a short distance on his right was seated 

 a lady of great personal beauty, working at an embroidery frame ; this 

 being, at that i)eriod, a favourite employment of ladies of high birth. 

 The herald had stood, viewing the scene before him, for some time, 

 and looking occasionally at the tapestry with which the hall was hung. 

 He was first observed by the lady, who instantly apprised her com- 

 panion of the presence of the courier. The knight immediately gave 

 the warlike instrument he had been examining to the page in attend- 

 ance, and notified to the herald to approach. This he did until he 

 reached the carl, when, after bending his knee, he presented the letters 

 of his master, which were enclosed in an envelope of silk, and secured 

 by a scarlet string of the same material. The string having been 

 severed by the page's dagger, the Earl of Trevallyan took from the 

 envelope a letter written by the hand of the king himself. 



During its perusal, the lady raised her eyes to the earl's face, and 

 carefully scrutinised its expression. At first a slight elevation of the 

 eyebrows discovered that he was surprised at the contents of the royal 

 epistle; then a smile of pleasure was observed to illuminate his 

 swarthy features, and exclaiming, " 'Tis well that my counsels are 

 followed ; and yet I deserve not this sarcasm ! " he re-folded the letter, 

 and, tuniing to the messenger, he said, " Thou hast been faithful in 

 fulfilling the commands of our liege the king, and I owe thee thanks; 

 take this," he continued, handing a purse to him, — " thou wilt not find 

 it an empty one ; and say not that the Earl of Trevallyan was imgi*ate- 

 ful to the man who brought him good news. Tracy," he proceeded, 

 turning to the page, " take tliis faiihful servant of the king, (whom 

 God long preserve ! ) and see that he be well entertained, until he can 

 be sped on his journey ; and, haik ye ! tell Walter Fitzalan to hie 

 him hither forthwitli ! " 



The page and his companion had scarcely vanished, when the lady 



